Chapter 4: Camaraderie and Chaos

I walked through the doors of the precinct, the inside was... Quieter somehow. It was tense for sure. The prey officers were eyeing the predator ones and some were obviously avoiding them. Not good, now how am I going to get a weasel to talk, let alone a arrest warrant. I'll just do things the way Nick and Judy did in the original movie, if not then I'll improvise. I was still in my army uniform considering the fact I wasn't really suppose to be on duty. I also missed laundry day, I was out of clean clothes to wear, but hey it looks nice. I stepped into the briefing room, here, things were just as rowdy as before. Least I have that. I approached my chair but I was stopped by Judy. I didn't even hear her which could only mean she just came in. "Marcus, what did you mean by you'll see what happens when you tell the truth?"

"I think it's pretty clear what I said Judy."

"What is that suppose to mean?"

"Okay fine, I'll give you a hint, what happens when you give a majority a reason to hate a minority. Figure it out will you."

"Can't you just tell me?"

"No, I can tell you but you won't believe me. You must learn yourself."

Besides, she still needs to be kicked down a few steps before I'll forgive her. "ALRIGHT, EVERYBODY SIT!"

Chief Bogo's voice thundered over everyone else and spooked Judy, allowing me to escape from her grasp. I went back to my seat and sat down in my chair.

He stepped up to the podium and readied his notes. "I'm sure you are all wondering why I called this meeting, I'll get to those questions in a moment. But first, lets give a round of applause to Officers Hopps and Greenfield for solving the savage mammals case. While Greenfield was not directly involved in the arrest of Lionheart, he did save Officer Hopps when they were attacked by the Jaguar. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery."

The officers began to clap before the Chief lifted his hoof to silence everyone. "Now, the reason why I called this meeting. Due to recent events, and the discovery that predators are going savage, I've been ordered by city hall to remove all predators from field duty. However, because there aren't enough prey mammals to fill their positions so some of you will still be on patrol. Officers Fangmyer, Snarlov, Wolford, Simmons and Delgato, you're being reassigned to desk duty."

A few groans of complaint could be heard in the back. "Officers Jackson, Anderson, and Grizzoli, you're being assigned new patrol routes, head to the front desk to receive these routes. Officers Judy and Greenfield, you're being promoted from parking duty to patrol, you'll be assigned to our senior officers. Officer Hopps, you will be assigned to Officer Swinton. Officer Greenfield, you will be assigned to officer McHorn when you come back."

I heard Judy give a hushed cheer and Mchorn huffed. I would have been ecstatic about the change of pace but considering the fact I'm a small mammal, McHorn is huge, and a sniper is crawling about the city. " Now, as I'm sure you all know by now, predator mammals have been going savage. We don't know why yet but you all need to keep a look out when you are patrolling the streets, we have to make sure we keep as many mammals as safe and calm as we possible can. Dismissed!"

Judy tried to pester me more when the briefing was over but I successfully managed to get her off my back. I was in the tunnel now, headed back to my flat. I'm going to do some research before I try to get back with Nichole. The cart shifted a bit as it raced down the tracks. Most of the mammals on board were medium to large. Mostly prey of course. They had created a 1 foot bubble around me and all the other predators in the cart, all trying not to look at me as I stood there, holding onto the railing. The city passed by the windows. There was some small talk but most of the mammals were on their devices or just staring at the predators. I tapped my paw in the ground and closed my eyes, trying to ignore their stares.

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I felt a tugging at my shirt sleeve. I opened my eyes and turned around. A arctic fox with a pen and pad was standing behind me. She was a about 1 foot smaller then me and had blue eyes. She was wearing what could only be described as a secretary's suit. An strange half suit, half skirt thing that was brown. She gave a small shy wave and a nervous smile. I had seen her shuffling around since I got on the tram, she was kind of weird. She held up a reporter's badge. "Hello Mr. Greenfield, my name is Terri Winters, I'm a journalist for the Zootopia seven news network."

She held out a paw for me and I shook it. "Hello Miss Winters, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Well, what do you need?"

"What makes you say that I need something."

"Your holding a pen and pad, plus you showed me your reporter's badge, you definitely want to ask me something."

"Ahh, yes. Well, I'd like to ask you some questions on the Nighthowler case, what you know at least as well as your thoughts and opinions."

I had nothing better to do that day except do some pointless research. "Alright, can we do this in my flat? I don't live too far away from the tube."

She looked confused. Oh that's right, British slang doesn't exactly translate over to American. "I don't live too far away from the metro. Sorry, the slang from back home still stays with me."

She nodded.

I opened the door to my apartment and placed my bag on the wall. I had cleaned up all the evidence of last night's action, but the sink had dirty plates and cups from this morning. I stood by the door and allowed her to enter before I shut the door and locked it. "Can I get you something to drink? Water, coffee, juice?"

"Just water is fine."

I went over to fill a cup of water from the tap. "Just have a seat at the dinning table and I'll be right with you."

She sat down at the table and I heard her shuffling through her bag. I finished filling the water and turned around to see that Terri had placed a recorder on the table as well as a pen and pad. She was sitting on the chair furthest away from me.

I placed the cup on the table and sat down in the chair opposite of her. "Alright, ready when you are."

She took a sip of water and calmed herself down a bit. "Ready."

She hit the button on her recorder and cleared her throat. "Alright, Mr. Greenfield, would you kindly start by introducing yourself."

I decided I would give her the standard cover story the ZBI told me to give to any interviewers. "Well, my name is Marcus Greenfield, I'm 33 years old, graduate of Zootopia college university in culinary arts... Can we just cut the crap and get to the point Skye?"

Terri Winters was a cover name Skye used when she wasn't on the job. Before it was Shauna Vulpies, owner of Vulpies auto shop. Her last position was compromised and faked her own death to escape a criminal organization that was hunting her down. The very organization she took down a month later with the help of a rabbit named Jack Savage. Heh, we got a James bond and Anya Amasova here. She would check in every now and then to help the ZBI keep tabs on me. Sometimes they would even ask for my thoughts on some things. Tactics only us humans were familiar with. Would you kindly, was just the phrase she would use to secretly tell me she wanted to talk about important stuff. My cover story on the other hand was loosely based on my life. I was a chef back home, graduate of Waitrose cookery school, the class of 2000. I worked at a restaurant with a really huge asshole of a boss in Manchester but I joined the army in 2003. I came back in 2004 and was placed in reserves while I worked my normal day job.

She cut her facade and smiled at me, swaying her tail. "What? Don't you like to have a little fun before our little talks?"

"I don't, especially since all our little talks are interrogations."

She held a paw to her chest in mock insult. "Why? You don't enjoy are talks? And here I was thinking we had something special."

"Just get to the point Skye, I don't really like it when people doddle."

"Alright, I'll get to the point, we need to know how to deal with this... Situation. If we loose control of this, the city might fall as well as the rest of the world."

"I don't know what to do."

"What!"

She was startled by my statement, but it was true. "I don't know how to deal with something like this Skye. People back home don't exactly go... Savage with some sort of racial justification. We could say they were savages or inferior to us but there are never and cases of being proven aside from olden text that is extremely racist and biased. I have another theory though."

"What."

"I have reason to believe this was an instance of terrorism."

"What makes you say that?"

"Back home, there was a experiment conducted by the Russians. They selectively bred foxes so they would become friendlier with each generation. That's also how most domestic pets came into play."

"How does this relate to us."

"It's simply evolution Skye, it's the same thing you guys use to breed your chickens and vegetables. It simply doesn't reverse overnight or over time. In this case, someone is using the historical notion that predators are naturally violent so they may demonize them as well as the rest of the species. They are most likely using a chemical agent derived from a biological or artificial source to create a drug that would be able to simulate this savagery. There are many possible candidates for usage in these drugs. "

"Like."

"The first one I can think of is the coca leaf. While harmless on its own, it can be processed enough to create a drug called cocaine. I'm not sure how it's done or what affect it would have on mammals like us. All I know is that the drug causes the victim to exhibit very violent tendencies."

"Interesting. What else"

"That's all I can really think of right now. But I have a feeling they may be using a more domestic plant to derive the drug."

"We will look into all abnormal plant shipments and try to isolate a possible perpetrator. Now, what about possible means of distribution or infection or whatever you call it?"

"I don't know, most likely, they will have a sharp shooter somewhere darting mammals. There is an issue with this theory, this being that the shooter would have to be an extremely good shot to hit an otter through the open window of a moving car. I would have expected drug use or contamination in the water but there are two problems with this theory. According to one of the subjects, the otter who went savage just went nuts in his car. No warning, nothing. This is also backed up by the fact he turned in a matter of seconds when my partner and I went to interview him. The water theory is also debunked because no other mammals have been turning, predator or prey, that would indicate there is no contamination in the water."

"Why the sharp shooter."

"Because at this rate Skye, this one by one rate of turning, there really is no other reason. Thus far, it has only been single cases of mammals turning. Not one giant group, or multiple at different times in one day, just one mammal at a time from every single district over the course of a few days. This means who ever is making these mammals to go savage wants to build up tension slowly before they try to dart multiple mammals at a time to simulate a quadratic rate of mammals going savage."

"Do you think Mayor Lionheart may have had a paw in this."

"Not likely, if this was the case, he wouldn't have focused so much on containment and research into these mammals. Not to mention, it would look terrible on him because he is a predator after all. Have you been interrogating anybody who was researching the savages?"

"Yes, we managed to capture a badger by the name of Doctor Marge Honey

"Have you managed to get any useful information out of her?"

"No, she just keeps repeating her same statement that this is all biological. That she couldn't discover anything different about the mammals."

"Has she tried testing their livers?"

"I don't know. Besides, isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes, but if we were to come across a deceased victim, I'm sure she could find some evidence of what ever drug is in them. If there is any."

"Are you suggesting we kill one of these poor mammals!?"

"No. I'm suggesting if one of these things were to be killed out there, like if they were hit by a car or overdosed on sleep darts, then we need to study the cadaver. Besides, it's much more ethical then to dissect a living subject for answers."

She looked like she was about to yell at me before she let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, I'll bring this up with the higher ups, but it's very unlikely they will approve of this."

"I understand."

She put away the tape recorder and pulled out a camera which she positioned in front of us in a manner that it would capture both of us. "Now for the regular interview. You ready?"

"Ready."

I opened the door for Skye and stepped out with her. My pistol in my jacket where it would be hidden from sight. I locked the door behind us. We continued to walk down the hallway. "You really have a low opinion of Judy. Don't you?"

"Hey, the only reason why she is even here in Zootopia was because of mayor Lionheart's stupid campaign promise. If it were up to me, I would tell her to stuff it and go back to her rabbit hole."

"Yikes Skye, didn't know you hated her that much."

"I worked for a position in the ZBI from the damn front desk to field duty for ten years! And that Hopps gets to get into her position without going through years of struggle. She's reckless, stupid and too idealistic! Hell, it's just like Jack Savage! He got into field duty only after five months of working in intelligence!"

"Well, it ain't easy being a fox now is it?"

She sighed. "Your right. Then again, your not really a fox. You are, or were a human. Besides, if I didn't vouch for you, you wouldn't be where you are now."

"True, true. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to find work."

"Not entirely, you just would have been placed in a cell for trespassing on government property. Then shipped off to an asylum so you would be silenced for the rest of your life."

"I know, I know."

We walked through the lobby and approached the front door. "You going to be alright?"

"Yea, I will."

"You want to get a drink later?"

"Sure, but not at that bar you usually go to."

She gave me a tissue with the address of another bar. Flanigan's. "Alright, I'll come. Goodbye Skye.

"Goodbye. Oh, and wear something nice when you come. There is a dress code after all."

I held the front door for her and we left the building.

"Thank you Mrs. Maranda."

"No problem, come back anytime."

I politely waved to the massive brown bear and put the jar of honey into my bag. I walked through the crowded farmers market in a tucked away part of downtown. It was set up in the court yard of a old shopping center. The architecture resembled the sort of stuff you would expect to find in Italy despite the fact that there were no Italians here. I was currently a grocery run. Vegetables, fish and a few seasonings. Vanilla, cane sugar, and exotic spices that would have costed a fortune back home. Being in a place like Zootopia really has it's perks because it basically hosts every ecosystem in the world. Saffron, anise, tarragon. All the stuff that would give a cook the edge they needed to stand out. I looked about and saw various stalls selling items I were interested in, but currently had no use for. Dragon fruit, fish jerky, pawpsicles, kiwi... Wait, pawpsicles. I stopped and looked at the stall where Nichole and Finnick were selling the stuff. Organic pawpsicles, three dollars each. Bloody hell. I didn't think they would find another person to trick. I approached them. Nichole smiled, Finnick scowled and I waved. "Hello Nichole. How's the work? Find a new vendor haven't you."

She laughed. "Oh goodness no. This time, we just bought fruit juice and froze it again. Technically, it still is organic."

"Really now?"

"Well, at least that's what the label said."

"Why you selling here out of all places?"

"Because those workers at the lemming brothers got a private security guard working for them. He's useless but he's got the front locked down. He wouldn't let us sell there so this is our next best option."

"What a shame. Say, last time we met you promised me one of these. Can I get a customer's discount."

"No, no. No special treatment here, even if you are a good friend of mine."

Finnick coughed loudly. "Look, you going to buy something or what?"

"Oh quit your bellyaching. I already gave you a tenner yesterday. That's three popsicles, plus extra. A minute or two of talk couldn't hurt."

"Then buy something first so."

"Alright fine, if you insist, I'll go."

Nichole smiled and waved. "Goodbye Marcus."

"Goodbye you two. Good luck."

I left the two behind and exited the market. The outside of the market was just as busy. Folks were milling about on the street doing stuff. I need a bus, I can't walk all the way to the tube, let alone back home. I stood by the stop and waited for the bus to come by.

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"RUN! HE'S GONE SAVAGE!"

What? The street erupted into panic as a large roar broke the sound of the city. It sounded like a bear... Oh god. The mammals screamed and stampeded away from where the roar came from and so did the cars. However, a truck crashed into a fire hydrant, causing fuel to spill out from the gutted tank.

I hid by the crashed van and peaked from the side. The bear had managed to stop a car, it was attempting to attack the people within. Shit, I need to do something. I looked around me and saw that the gate to the market had been locked, the mammals within were standing by and holding phones to record the ordeal. Guess that isn't really an option for escape. Not good. I reached for my pistol and almost pulled it out when I realized something. That sheep was here. If I were to pull out this gun, the fucker would know I had this. I need to find an alternative. I looked around and saw that a piece of metal nearby from the crashed bread van. It would be sturdy enough to swing. I picked up the metal bar and another smaller shard of metal. I threw the small shard at the bear and hit it. "HEY YOU FUCK! COME AND GET ME!"

That got it's attention. It turned and roared at me. Then, it began to charge at an alarming speed. I easily sidestepped the attack and struck the bear with the bar. This only pissed it off. It swept it's sharp claws at me, intent on turning me into mince meat. I winced a bit as I felt my stitches stretch. Okay, attacking it head on is stupid. I need to find another way. I quickly ran behind it and ducked behind the booth of the bus stop. It smashed a paw through the window and attempted to grab me but I jabbed it in the face with the metal bar. I won't be able to keep this up, I need to hide! Oh, the van!

I quickly ran past the angry beast and smashed the lock off the doors to the van. I clamored inside and closed the door behind me, jamming the door with the bar. I let out a sigh and laid on the bread which had fallen off the racks. Alright, I'm saf- BLOODY HELL! It cut through the back door of the van. It's paws shredding the door like it was nothing. It looked in and roared. Then, it tore the fucking door off! It began to climb it's way on only to wedge itself in the door. By then, I had managed to escape the the driver's seat of the van. Alright, I need a new plan. I looked around the cabin for anything that could help me. Wrappers, papers, cigarettes. Wait, if there are cigarettes, there has to be matches or a lighter. I quickly turned around and opened the glove box of the car and sure enough, there was a cheap plastic lighter inside. If I could get out of here, I can ignite the fuel and blow this bastard to kingdom come. Damn the consequences, I don't have time to feed the bastard the milk of human kindness. I used my arm and smashed open a window, it shattered into dust. I jumped out and quickly lit the lighter. Too bad I didn't have anything clever to say here. I threw the lighter at the leaking fuel which caused it to catch fire. Alright, I need to get out before it-

Hey, sorry for the wait, I was doing a massive overhaul to rewrite this story. I'll be working on this more but I will keep the old one around for old times sake. If you want to see more of my content, I have other fanfics set in other works like cries in the woods(Night in the woods/ cry of fear crossover), into the fray(Dreamkeepers) and tracet fide(star fox). Have a good one you all.